Book ,0, 1 n 



(MORAVIANS), 
IN ENG^LAND, 

Fivm 1641—1743. " 
By the EEV. A. C. HASSE 



A MEMORIAL OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY, 

(As Celebrated IsTov. 10, 1867), 
OF THE CONaEEGATION, 

" "WORSHIPPING IN THE 



Tlie Profits arismg from the sale of this Pamjihlet will he devoted ta 
Moravian Home Mission Work in London, 



LONDON : 
W J^IALLALIEU & CO., 97, HATTON GARDEK. 



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PREFACE. 

The original form of tliis pamplilet was a paper, wliicli Avas 
read at the Lovefeast, held ^^ovember 10, 1867, on the 
125th Anniversary of the Moravian Congregation worship- 
ping in Eetter-lane, London. Several members and friends 
present on that occasion, and others, to whose notice 
this paper was subsequently brought, having urged its being 
printed, it has been revised and somewhat enlarged, Some 
of this additional matter is not to be found in any Histories 
of the Brethren's Church, printed in the English tongue. 
Not only^have the ordinary sources, both German and English, 
been consulted, but some original manuscript diaries, deposited 
in the Moravian Archives of this country and at Herrnhuth, 
have been largely put under contribution. It would seem as 
if these documents had hitherto never been made available, 
more especially as regards those details which give such a 
zest to the narrative. The writer takes this opj)ortunity 
gratefully to acknowledge the aid afforded him through the 
courtesy of the Eev. J. Koemer, Archivarius at HerrnhutlL 
If his readers should detect any errors, or inaccuracieSj he 
begs they may be pointed out to hini. 



A. C. H. 



THE UNITED BRETHREN, 

(MORAVIANS), 

In London, from 1641—1742. 



It "^vas not in tlie early part of the last century that England 
heard for the first tinie of the Chiu'ch of the United Brethren. 
An interesting connexion had already previously been estab- 
lished between this country and the venerable and ancient 
branch of the Bretkren's Unit}", though the latter had then been 
expelled from her original seats in Bohemia and Moravia. 
Her representative in England, and the Hnk of this connexion 
was Bishop J. A. Comenius, one of the most pious, most 
devoted, and most learned of her sons. His weU-earned fame 
as a schoolman had induced the English Government and 
Parliament to urge his personal presence with the view of 
effecting an improvement of the educational system in the 
English universities and schools. He accepted this honourable 
invitation, reached England in September, 1641, and remained 
there till July, 1642; but the Irish rebellion and the then 
pending disputes between King and Parliament, prevented 
him from carrjdng out his grand and comprehensive schemes, 
and thus reahzing the wishes and expectations of his patrons. 
His stay was, however, sufficiently extended to afford him 
such an insight into the English character, and to inspire 
him with such confidence in the love of the national Churcli 
for the truth as it is in Christ J esus, that he felt no hesitation 
in conmiending to her fostering care his own beloved, but 
then scattered Church, the oldest of the daughters of the 
Reformation, nay which anticipated Luther's great movement 
by sixty years. This touching bequest is contained in one of 
his works written 1660* Nine years after the arrival of 



Comenius, tlie religious and literary world of English Pro- 
testantism experienced a thrill of horror through the pub- 
lication of a little book containing an authentic narrative of 
the dreadful sufferings endured by the Brethren. This work 
is entitled " A History of the Bohemian Persecution " and 
was printed at London in 1650. Very naturally great com- 
miseration was excited, and the recollection of the tragic fate 
of these Bohemian martyrs induced not a few to give practical 
evidence of their sympathy, when calls were made for help 
in behalf of those who had escaped death by flight, or been 
exiled from their country with the loss of all their earthly goods. 
Such a successful appeal was made to the Eev. Paul Hartmann, 
rector of Shillingford, in Berkshire, by his elder brother, who 
was a Bishop of the Polish Branch of the Brethren's Unity, 
and resided at Lissa. This took place in 1683. 

At the beginning of the eighteenth century the intercourse 
was renewed. Frequent communications on the subject 
of Episcopal succession passed between the English Bishops 
and Daniel Ernest Jablonsky, who was then acting as Prussian 
Court Chaplain at Berlin, and in 1714 had been consecrated 
a Bishop of the Brethren's Church, in the hope of better 
days. By this means he extended the knowledge of the 
Unity in England, and also obtained pecuniary aid for his 
indigent co-religionists. 

The renewal of the Brethren's Churcli at Herrnhuth in 
1722 struck the world and the church with amazement. The 
lovely picture presented there of a living congregation of 
Jesus attracted the attention of all who in those days were 
waiting for the consolation of Israel. 

" This verily is life — this is love — this is true liberty — this 
is surely God's work, " were the words which fell from many 
a close and attentive observer ; and " tell me more concerning 
the grace of God that is among you, '' was the message to the 
little Moravian settlement from many a distant spot. Such 
was also the request preferred by the Countess of Schaum- 
burg-Lippe in 1728. She was a German lady attached to the 
retinue of the Queen of the British monarch George II., and 
had previously corresponded Avith Count Zinzendorf The 
reply of the Moravian Church was taken by the three exiles, 
David Mtschman, John Toeltschig and Wenceslaus Neisser, 
senior. 



5 



They left Herrnliutli June 6, having only 27s. of private 
property between them, the Congregation being totally unable 
to furnish them with funds. They went on foot by way of 
Jena to Frankfurt, and thence by ship to Cologne. From 
this city they worked their passage to Arnhem in Holland, 
and then walked to Amsterdam. Here the bookseller, to 
whom they had been recommended, would not give them 
even a cup of cold water. They wandered up and down the 
streets in the greatest perplexity, not a soul noticing them, 
except the crimps of the Dutch East India Company, who 
almost persuaded Br. Toeltschig to go to Batavia. JNitschman, 
perceiving the peril, said : " My Brethren, we must leave this, 
and go to Rotterdam." Accordingly they proceeded thither 
by the night canal-boat, but found no vessel ready to sail for 
England. Before their last few shillings should be spent, 
they thought it desirable to seek for work, but no one would 
employ them. Outside of the city a man permitted them to 
sleep in his barn. The next clay they had only one meal, 
and that of the most frugal kind. Meeting a German 
merchant, they earnestly besought him to procure them work 
or to help them forward. This man pointed out a mode of 
transit to Briel, assuring them that the English Commissioner 
there would procure them a free passage to England. In 
Briel, they were met by a man who perceiving that they were 
Germans, was at first very friendly, saluting them as his 
" brothers," taking them to a handsome room in his house, 
and telling them to sit down at a well-furnished table. 
They at once explained who they were, and begged only for 
permission to sleep in his garret. The name of " brother " 
was now promptly discarded, and they were shown to the 
door. It was night and cold. jS'ot knowing whither to go 
they lay down to sleep on the town-wall, alternately occupying 
the middle place, to keep up the animal heat of their bodies. 
They resolved to return to Rotterdam, but having eaten 
nothing for twenty-four hours, one of them felt so exhausted 
that they had to spend their last penny for a little bread. 
In Rotterdam their distress became so intolerable that they 
began seriously to consider whether it would not be right for 
one of them to sell himself to the East India Company and 
so furnish the other two with the means of prosecuting their 
journey. Just at this critical time a man enquired if they 



6 



wished to go to England, and then introduced them to a 
Captain, who promised to take them, and even gave them 
money to buy provisions. The passage across was pros- 
perous, lasting only one day, and in due time they reached 
London in safety. 

Such were the remarkable circumstances attending the first 
visit paid to this country by Members of the Eenewed 
Brethren's Church ; and it is noteworthy how the Lord saw 
fit by these painful experiences to try His servants, and thus 
to prepare them for future usefulness. All their life time 
they would surely never forget how little reliance may be 
placed on man, but how safe it is to trust in the Lord. They 
had learned the lesson that man's extremity is God's oppor- 
tunity. 

These three Brethren had brought various documents with 
them, both from Herrnhuth and Jena, and among the rest a 
recommendatory letter of Dr. Buddeus to Pastor Ziegenhagen, 
the then German Lutheran Court Chaplain, who provided 
board and lodging for them, during their stay in London, at 
his own expense. The Countess of Lippe received them 
kindly, greatly rejoicing over their zeal and godly simplicity ; 
but they did not obtain an audience of the Queen, nor did 
they reach Oxford, as had been intended. They returned to 
the Continent in a Eoyal British yacht, in the company of 
the Countess and reached Herrnhuth, September 7, 1728. 

The next arrival was that of the ten Moravian Brethren 
who, under the guidance of the above-named John Toeltschig, 
were going to the English colony of Georgia, partly as colo- 
nists, but mainly with the object of bringing the Gospel to 
the Creek and Cherokee Indians. Br. A. G. Spaiigenberg had 
been previously sent to London in order to make the need- 
ful arrangements with the Georgia Trustees. These ten 
Brethren reached London, January 15, 1735, accompanied 
by David ISTitschman, surnamed the Syndicus. Their stay till 
February, when they sailed, was of much importance for the 
future, as Spangenberg, who had been introduced to Mr. 
Vernon (the Secretary of the fifty Georgia Trustees), also to 
General Oglethorpe (the Governor of the colony), and to the 
Bishop of London, was greatly respected, and left behind 
him a good impression, both as regarded his own personality 
and the Church with which he had so thoroughly and 



7 



enthusiastically identified himself. Some of the Bishops not 
only expressed the wish to see the Brethren settled in the 
English Colonies, hut of their own accord, offered to confer 
their episcopal orders, if it should he desired. 

The tliinl company of Visitors from the Moravian Church 
consisted of twenty persons also destined for Georgia. They 
left Herrnhuth in August, the same year (1735), under the 
guidance of Bishop David N^itschman ; and the Lord so 
ordered it that the very ship in which they sailed, conveyed 
also General Oglethorpe, the Eevds. John and Charles 
Wesley, B. Ingham, as well as the officials of the colony- 
It was therefore on this voyage that the acquaintance began 
between the Brethren and the iMethodists — an acquaintance 
which in its results proved to be of the utmost importance 
both as concerned Christendom and heathen lands. The 
reading of J. "Wesley's Journal by »James Hutton (then a 
bookseller's assistant) in the Eeligious Society of which he was 
a member, tended to operate in favour of the Brethren, as 
Wesley, who had been deeply moved by the pious deport- 
ment, the godly conversation, the simplicity and apostolicity 
of his Moravian fellow-voyagers, both on ship-board and 
afterwards in the colony, had written about them in strongly 
eulogistic terms. 

The Eeligious Society alluded to, w^as one of many estab- 
lished in London (principally) and other parts of the country, 
with the view of cultivating Christian fellowship among 
piously disposed persons. They consisted mainly of members 
of the Established Church, and there can be no doubt that 
they had materially contributed towards keeping alive the 
spark of true religion in this country. ^Nevertheless it is 
true that in not one of these Societies, at least at the time 
under review, was the Gospel known. The teaching exclu- 
sively inculcated vvas striving after holiness by the works of 
the law. 

Th.Q fourth visit from the Brethren was that of the excellent 
man of God, Count Zinzendorf himself, v>^ho reached London, 
January 29, 1737. He was accompanied by Wenceslaus 
ISTeisser, and in a few days followed by his Countess and Bishop 
D. Xitschman. They hired Lindsey House, Chelsea, which 
was not far from the office of the Georgia Trustees. On this 
his first coming to England, Zinzendorf became acquainted 



8 



■with. Ogietliorpe (to whom he afterwards rendered most 
valuable services), Earl Granville (or : Lord Carteret, the 
President of the Privy Council), the Archbishop of Canter- 
bury (Dr. John Potter), Charles Wesley, James Hutton, and 
many others. The Archbishop, after sundry interviews and 
the exchange of several letters, expressed himself most 
favourably with regard to the person and work of the Count, 
characterizing him as a noble Christian and a truly Christian 
nobleman ; as also with reference to the ancient Unitas Pratrum, 
and the regulations adopted by the Eenewecl Church at Herrn- 
huth. These kind and favourable sentiments he retained till 
death. The Count held daily meetings in his lodgings for 
his own household, but which ^vere also attended by some 
Germans residing in London ; — conversed with many about 
their souls (including some members of the Society of Friends) 
and organised a small Society of Germans, for whose benefit 
lie drew up certain rules. These conclude with the very 
characteristic words : "We will" (so they pledged themselves), 
" attend in all simplicity, mainly to these three things, viz., 
to be saved by the blood of Christ, to be sanctified by the 
blood of Christ, and heartily to love one another. " These 
rules were signed by ten persons, of wdiom two, tlie Brn. 
Andrew Ostroem and John Prederic Hintz, afterwards became 
Labourers. The Count left London, March 6, for Eotter- 
dam. His efforts in behalf of the Brethren's Missionary- 
schemes were, as the sequel proved, signally blessed ; and 
not only so, but likewise at that very time, the Saviour re- 
vealed to His observant servant when taking his solitar}' 
W' alks at Chelsea, that He purposed bestowing on the Brethren 
a name and a place among the Churches of the Land. When, 
not long after his return to German}^, Zinzendorf w^as himself 
consecrated a Bishop of the Unitas Pratrum, he received the 
hearty congratulations of the Primate. 

The fifth, link in the mutual connexion was formed by the 
arrival of Petrus Boehler, and was, in many respects, the most 
important of all. He was one of the many able and talented 
men of the University at Jena, wdio were miglitily influenced 
by the atmosphere of Herrnhuth. Constrained by the Divine 
call to relinquish a 2:)Osition which would infallibly have 
brought him great worldly honour and fame, he hastened to 
place his valuable services at the disposal of the Church, 



9 



whose cause he liad so warmly espoused and to wliicli he was 
then, and remained till his death, so firmly and unreservedly 
attached. He cheerfully accepted the appointment to labour 
in the Gospel among the negroes in South Carolina ; an 
undertaking which had been recommended by influential 
persons to the notice of the Count when in England. Wen- 
ceslaus IN'eisser accompanied Boehler as far as London, and 
renewed the acquaintance he had made the previous year. 
Another of the party was the aged Abraham Richter, formerly 
a merchant at Stralsund who came to visit the members of 
the German Society established by Zinzendorf. This duty 
he faithfully performed, before proceeding to Algiers in order 
to preach the Gospel to the Christian slaves. Boehler had been 
special .l^: commissioned to visit the learned divines and pro- 
fessors of Oxford ; and his plain but powerful testimony to 
such and to some of the citizens, regarding justification solely 
through faith in the merits of Jesus, was signally blessed to 
the two Wesleys, Gambold, Hutcliins, Kinchin, Delamotte, 
and others. It was on this visit that he was invited by a 
very learned gentleman to inspect the latter's extensive library; 
and various rare and remarkable works were pointed out to 
him. The divine, though aware of Boehler's reputation as a 
scholar, was surprised to find him treating his treasures, ap- 
parently, with the most consummate indifference. He there- 
fore changed the conversation and enquired what his visitor 
Avould do when he got to Georgia, as he could not speak 
English (they were then conversing in Latin) ^ Boehler re- 
plied, " I shall learn the English for the following words : 
die — rise again — Son of God — poor sinner; — and then I shall 
say, the Son of God has died for us poor sinners and has 
risen again from the dead." The narrator of this anecdote 
adds the remark : " And this was literally the actual case." It 
is also recorded of him that when he first came to England, he 
learned off" by heart the words " Believe on the Lord Jesus 
Christ and thou shalt be saved." On one occasion, a man 
deeply convinced of sin opened out his whole heart to him, 
and in his distress shed many tears. Boehler who compre- 
hended the man's situation, though he scarcely understood a 
single word, merely replied : " Only believe," and this word 
was attended with tlie happiest results. In London too 
he laboured with much blessing, and was enabled to present 



10 



to Jolin Wesle}^, several persons, both Germans and English^ 
who, through his preaching of Christ criicihed, had found 
peace and joy in believing. When he spoke in Latin, James 
Hutton translated into English — and when he discoursed 
in German, Eichard Yiney interpreted. Hutton says : 
" Boehler's doctrine was something new to our ears, but it 
forced its way into our hearts and made us joyful ; for most 
of us had been labouring in our own strength, against sin, 
but without effect. Of this blessed theme, nothing was 
heard from the pulpits ; it was stifled by the breath of 
Pelagianism, and (hy morality prevailed almost everywhere. 
Hitherto we had indeed been far from Christ. This proved 
the commencement of true evangelical preaching in England 
— of which the old Societies knew nothing." 

Eor the guidance and edification of the small Eeligious 
Society, meeting in the house of Hutton in Little Wyhl-street, 
consisting of laymen and persons of the lower orders (except 
the Wesley s) and numbering only from six to eight indi- 
viduals, — certain Statutes were drawn up conjointly by 
Eoehler and J. Wesley, and signed May 12, 1738. 

Within a few days Boehler and George Schulius were on 
their Avay to Georgia, Eichter to Algiers, and F. W. Neisser 
to Germany. But with the last-named, a letter dated May 
13 (1738), and signed by J. Hutton and thirteen of his friends, 
was sent to Zinzendorf, begging that Boehler might on his 
return be placed as a GospeJ-preacher in London. The names 
of these petitioners are : Matthew Clarke, John West, John 
Edmonds, John Bray, Thomas Proctor, John Brown, Wm. 
Eish, John Shaw, Bernard Hartley, Eichard Thompson, 
William Exall, Shepherd Wolfe, and William Oxley. 

In June the same year (1738) J. Toeltschig arrived in 
London from Georgia, but we have not been able to ascertain 
any particulars respecting his stay. On the 13th he set out 
for Marienborn, accompanied by John Wesley and B. Ing- 
ham, the two latter visiting also some of the other establish- 
ments of the Brethren. John Brown also seems to have gone to 
Germany with the same view. The year following (1739) 
James Hutton and E. Yiney left London, April 15, for the 
Continent, with the view of learning German, and in order 
to become more thoroughly acquainted with the Brethren's 
Church as she had developed herself at Herrnhuth and in 



11 



the Wetteravian congregations. After a lengthened visit, 
Hutton appears to have returned to London, October 24, 
bringing Toeltscliig Avith him, at the special and repeated 
request of the Rev, B. Ingham, who desired the co-operation 
of the Brethren in preaching the Gospel in Yorkshire, and 
more particularly to aid him in building up the awakened 
members of the Societies he had formed there. 

Toeltschig did not, however, remain the whole of the three 
years, from 1739 to 1742, in Yorkshire, but was several times 
in London for longer or shorter periods. 

Other Moravians visiting London during this year were 
Spangenberg, Zinzendorf, and Henry Cossart. The first arrived 
Oct. 24 (the same day as Toeltschig), and being detained by 
sickness and other circumstances, did not reach his destina- 
tion at Marienborn till the end of the year. Particulars con- 
cerning his stay in the metropohs are wanting. Such is 
also the case with reference to the second visit of the Count 
to England. He landed at Dover, April 20, on his return- 
voyage from St. Thomas, spending only a short time at Lon- 
don and Oxford, but rejoicing greatly over the marvellous 
spread of the awakening. Henry Cossart, a simi^le-minded 
child of God, but of polished manners and courteous deport- 
ment, was the descendant of an ancient noble Huguenot 
family, M'hich once owned extensive estates in the north of 
France, but had to flee after the revocation of the " Edict of 
Xantes. Like many of his Brethren in those days, he had 
wholly given himself to the Lord's work, and the amount of Ms 
labours in various parts of the world, ere he entered on his 
eternal rest, is truly astonishing. More than once he spoke 
buriiing words of faith and love to the Waldenses in the 
valleys of Piedmont. At Venice, Leghorn, Pome, and 
]S''aples he boldly and bluntly professed his principles ; yet 
everywhere making friends, by his mild and conciliator}'" 
manners, among Romish Cardinals and ecclesiastics. In 
EgyjDt he formed an acquaintance with the Coptic and Greek 
Patriarchs and the Libyan Archbishop. 

On this, apparently, his first coming to England, in the 
year 1739, he passed with his wife through London, being 
entrusted with a letter from Zinzendorf to Thomas Wilson, 
(the Bishop of Sodor and Man), with the additional commission 
to fan the flame of love to the Saviour, if he should discover 



12 



any traces of awakening in tlie island, from whicli the see, in 
part, derived its name. After recovering from a dangerous 
fever in Liverpool, where he was the means of the conversion 
of a kind stra iger who said he had been sent by God to oifer 
his services, Brother and Sister Cossart were most hospitably 
entertained by the Bishop for six weeks in his palace on the 
island, and a friendship was then cemented which lasted for 
life. Six weeks more were spent in evangelizing visits to 
different parts of the country. They probably passed through 
London on their way to the continent in August. 

The w^ork in the Eeligious Society alluded to above, was, at 
the request of the members, continued by Philip Henry 
Molther, who came to London, October 18, 1739, with the 
design of going to Pennsylvania, pursuant to his call; but various 
circumstances necessitated his remaining. The thirst of the 
people for the Gospel was so intense, that after the lapse of 
only four weeks, he was compelled to address them in English. 
He undoubtedly found many and serious extravagances in the 
notions and proceedings of the Society, and felt it his duty 
to discountenance them. Of the then state of things he 
speaks thus in his autobiography : " At that time there was 
a Society in Fetter-lane, wdiich originally dated from Br. 
Petrus Boehler, but was then cared for by the Messrs. J. and 
C. Wesley. As the members really did not know what they 
wanted, they had fallen into all sorts of fantastic and fanatical 
things. When I first attended their meeting and listened to 
their sighing, groaning, whimpering, and howling I was posi- 
tively terriiied. They declared this strange proceeding to be 
a demonstration of the Sjoirit, and of the power of God. At the 
same time when you came to speak privately with the indi- 
vidual members, it was evident that most of them were 
anxious for their salvation." 

It is quite possible that Molther in his zeal to check 
abuses, to denounce self- working and consequent self- 
righteousness, as likewise to exalt the sufficiency of the merits 
of the Saviour for sanctification as well as justification to 
every believer, may have used unguarded language with re- 
spect to the efficacy of the means of grace and other matters. 
But it is clear from his own practice then and afterwards that 
he did not undervalue the means of grace. No satisfactory 
evidence, on impartial and reliable authority, has, as yet, been 



13 



produced to show that lie preached doctrines different from 
those of Spangenberg and Boehler.'"' He was never called to 
an account by the Church for preaching erroneous doctrines, 
and in the correspondence of Hutton and others, who re- 
mained with the Fetter-lane Society, there is, as far as we 
know, not a trace of charge against him on account of the 
tenets he propounded. On the contrary, the letters of Hutton 
and the autobiographies of several English Brethren and 
Sisters bear am]3le testimony to the power of his preaching 
and to the grace and blessing attending it. Molther had en- 
joyed a thorough theological training in the University at 
Jena, and certainly never manifested the slightest leaning 
either to m3'sti^ism or quietism in the usual acceptation of 
these terms. . r .:_r leaving this country in September, 1740, 
he did good ser^'ice, often under very trying and difficult cir- 
cumstances, in France, Switzerland, and other parts of the 
Continent, as well as at Dublin, 1762, and Bedford, 1767, 
and towards the close of his life was, with the unanimous 
approval of his Brethren, consecrated a Bishop of the 
Brethren's Church in 1775. 

Two other remarks may also be appended. It is clear from 
Spangenberg's diary that some of Molther' s expressions were 
quite misunderstood, perhaps both by his friends and oppo- 
nents, and then still further distorted in their transmission 
from mouth to mouth. Besides this, the same source makes 
it evident that some of the members of the Fetter-lane 
Society were justly chargeable with unkind and uncharitable 
language towards the AYesleys. These unhappy misunder- 
standings between good men, who all equally desired the 
glory of God, as also an undoubted divergency of view in 
some doctrinal points, led to the withdrawal of the Metho- 
dists from the Fetter-lane Society on July 20, 1740. 

About the same time, Hutton paid his second visit to 
Germany, and on his return brought with him Bishop David 
iNitschman and some others, whose temporary sojourn in 
London was greatly blessed to the members of the Society. 

Of the other events of this year (1740) the following may 
be additionally observed. The former place of meeting 
proving too small, the present Chapel, then termed the Great 



See Dr. .John Whitehead's Life of J. Wesley. Vol. II., p. 131. 



14 



Meeting House," or "Bradbury's Meeting House," was 
taken. The early history of tiiis building is not known. 
Tradition says that the site was once used as a timber-yard 
and saw-pit. During the time of persecution, in Puritan days, 
it proved a safe asylum to many stricken souls, and from the 
present pulpit the voice of the eloquent and godly Richard 
Baxter, the author of the " Saint's Everlasting Eest," enforced 
with passionate earnestness and convincing power the saving 
truths of the Gospel. 

When Molther left, the Society urgently requested that 
Spangenberg might be sent to take the over-sight and to 
help forward the good work. Till his arrival Toeltschig 
was solicited to take the office of " Lender." Tliis he declined, 
both as regarded himself and his German fellow-labourers, but 
cheerfully expressed his willingness to serve the Society to 
the utmost of his power. 

1741. 

Towards the end of February Boehler landed at Bristol on 
his return from Pennsylvania, visited Gambold and other 
friends at Oxford, and reaching London, March 8, * spent 
eight days there to the great joy of the Society. On his way to 
Germany he met Spangenberg at Herrndyk, in Holland, and 
was induced by the latter to retrace his steps. They arrived 
in London, April 5. t Spangenberg, who liad been invested 
with the office of " General Helper " or Superintendent of the 
whole of the Brethren's work in England, lodged with his 
wife, hrst at Brockmer's in Fetter-lane, but removed in June 
(19) to a house in Little Wy Id-street, where also subse- 
quentiy two other houses were rented from Sir John Gunson. 
An out-house, in the rear of the building hrst occupied, was 
fitted up by some of the German unmarried Brethren, as a 
dwelling for themselves. Among these were Ludolf Ernest 
Schlicht and perhaps also Boehler, previous to his going to 
Yorkshire. Another house, in Warner-street, is mentioned as 
having in the autumn (Sept. 2) been prepared by Spangenberg 
for some single Brethren " as -well as he could." These had 
probably come Avith the Count, or were merely passing 
through London on their way to America. 



* In one of his letters he says March 6th. 

t In the Herrnhuth diary the date is April 6th. 



15 



In April (24) while the Lord's Supper was being cele- 
brated in the Chapel, a raging mob gathered outside and tried 
to break in. All present succeeded in quietly withdrawing, 
and when Br. and Sr. Piesch went with a light to meet the 
rioters, who had forced an entrance, the latter fell back. Br. 
Piesch locked the door and reached his home in safety. 

The subject of establishing a Society for tlie Furtherance 
of the Gosjiel was first mooted by Spangenberg, on April 
27, with the view generally to assist the Brethren and 
Sisters travelling to and fro in the affairs of the great King, 
and especially the Missionaries to the heathen. At a Love- 
feast on April 28, four persons were appointed to draw up 
suitable rules, and on May 5 a Committee was chosen, con- 
sisting of Hutton, Stonehouse, Ockershausen, and Bray, while 
Spangenberg was to be assessor on the 23art of the Brethren's 
Church. On May 8 (which day was afterwards regarded 
as the birthday of the Society) Adolf von Marschall was 
elected Secretary, and William Holland " the Servant." The 
Committee held sessions every Monday ; and on the first 
Monday in each month the whole Society assembled at the 
so-called " General Meeting " for the purpose of collecting 
funds and to listen to intelligence regarding the spread of 
God's kingdom. Pemales also could become members, and 
already April 29 some of these nominated two of their num- 
ber to be " Servants to the Pilgrims." The first collection 
was made May 8, and amounted to six guineas. The 
number of actual members on May 15 was twenty, but at 
the General Meeting the same day, fully 200 persons were 
present. This Society did good service in many ways ; and 
though it languished during the period of the Brethren's 
financial difiiculties, it was renewed in 1768, and still exists in 
blessing, having taken on itself the entire supjDort of the 
Mission in Labrador. 

It was in this year also that the remarkable Synodal Con- 
ference was held in Ptcd Lion-street, the chief event of which 
is annually commemorated on Sept 16 and jN'ovember 13, 
as two of the Memorial clays of the Brethren's Church, 
Zinzendorf, accompanied by his lady, his daughter Benigna, 
and others, had reached London, Sept 1, on his way to Penn- 
sylvania. They lodged in a honse taken from the Avidovred 
sister Metcalfe, in the above-named street. The Synod lasted 



16 



from Sept. 11 to 23. Two chief offices in the Churcli had 
hecoine vacant, J. L. Dober laying down his office of Chief 
Elder, and the Count hj reason of his intended absence from 
Europe, resigning the duties of Warden," or manager of 
the temporal affairs of the Unity. Great perplexity ensued, 
but on Sept. 1 6 the conviction was powerfully impressed on the 
hearts of all present, that as the Lord Jesus, the Great Head 
of His universal Church, had hitherto graciously condescended 
to guide and direct every matter connected with their portion 
of His heritage, they might and ought to leave all to Him, 
Avithout again assigning the office of Chief Elder to any man. 
For the transaction of current business a Conference or Board 
of Direction was chosen, consisting of twelve Brethren, whose 
residence was to be at Marienborn. 

Spangeuberg at once began to develope his administrative 
ability. He remodelled some of the Bands and Conferences 
and established new ones. The " Select " or more restricted 
" Conference" was begun April 13, and consisted of Br. and Sr. 
Spangenberg, Br. and Sr. Hutton, Br. and Sr. Toeltschig, and 
Br. Piesch. The " Daily Helper's Conference " had its first 
meeting May 8, and its incumbency was to prepare subjects 
of every kind for the Select Conference. There were Con- 
ferences for the English Labourers, at first meeting separately 
according to the sexes, but joined in one on August 16. The 
Visitors (male and female) had their distinct Conferences. 
After the commencement of the School in Little Wyld-street, 
there was a Daily School Conference, (August 21), and in 
I^ovember there appears to have been a " Select English 
Conference," whose duties were entirely confined to the 
Eetter-lane Society, and the members of which ^vere Br. and 
Sr. Hutton, Br. and Sr. Viney, Br. and Sr. Spangenberg, Br. 
and Sr. Toeltschig, Br. Holland, and Sr. Stonehouse. Lastly 
(jSTov. 8) there was a Conference for the " Band-servants, " 
or those who presided at and conducted the Band meetings. 
Spangenberg was anxious to train Labourers, both among the 
German and English element of the Society, and August 4 
a Band of such prospective assistants was placed under the 
care of the Brn. Zander and Buettner, and subsequently (after 
their removal), of Br. Ockershausen, a German, resident in 
London, who gave up his business as a sugar-refiner and 
devoted himself wholly to the Lord's work. 



17 



Great Messing rested on tlie Eand meetings, and in one 
Conference it '>vas stated tliat just then fourteen women were 
asking for admission. Besides tlie Visitors (eleven Brethren 
and six Sisters, apjDointed July 10), who looked after the 
members of the Society, there were also Sick- visitors, Almoners, 
and Strangers'-servants. Those who had been confirmed in 
the jSTational Church were directed to enjoy the Lord's SujDper 
in their own Parish Churches, but some of the Germans then 
living in London, who were Lutherans, seem, on joining the 
Society, and at their special request, to have been admitted 
into full fellowship with the Brethren. There was public 
jjreaching in the ChajDel on the Sunday, at nine o'clock a.m. 
and three o'clock p.m., and also a German sermon in the 
evening. In the " Pilgrims' House," in Little Wy]d-street, 
there were meetings morning and evening for reading the 
Bible and singing. During the week there was preaching in 
the houses of G. Bowes, Brockmer, and Hilland, apparently 
alternately. Concerning the object to be held in Adew at the 
Band meetings, it is said : " We will in them deal kindly with 
the members, that they ma}'- become better accjuaintecl with 
the loving heart of J esus, and may learn to know their own 
hearts more thoroughlj^, so that they can make an intelligent 
application to themselves of what they hear." These Bands 
soon multiplied and numbered twenty-seven in the following 
year. It was found advisable for each Band to choose an 
English brother or sister who was to assist the Band-servants, 
and hence, was called a " Helper." Br. and Sr. Viney, aidecl 
by Br. Toeltschig seem at first, in the period under review, to 
have acted as Choir-labourers among the married people and 
single women, whilst Hutton was to attend to the single 
brethren, " a work to which," it is remarked in the diary, 
" he suits incomparably." 

The beginning of the Brethren's educational activity in this 
country was made in the spring of 1741, the first pupil, in 
what soon became a Boarding-school, being little James 
Viney, and Bro. Wm. Oxley, the first teacher. Many were 
admitted, for whom little or nothing was paid, and yet, to 
Spangenberg's astonishment, the Lord always provided the 
needful means. The girls were at first instructed by Br. Viney, 
but Oct. 4 Sr. Sjpangenberg moved into the girls' school, 



18 



and in ^N'ovember, a sister Eogers is mentioned as having 
"begun to organize a " Band " with some of the pupils. As 
Br. W. Oxley worked part of the day at his trade, (that of a 
tailor), Br. vSchlicht soon took part in teaching, and before 
the close of the year also John Holmes. 

Visits for preaching and the building up of awakened souls 
were paid in various directions. Boehler and Kinchin on 
their way to Yorkshire in June preached at Olney in Mr. 
Whitney's house, as also in the vestry of the Presbyterian 
Meeting-house, and had large auditories. In ^Northampton, 
they w^ere kindly received by the Eev. Mr. Langley and Dr. 
Doddridge. Br. Kinchin had the pleasure of meeting there 
one of his former curates, a Mr. Hervey, a pious man. 
Toeltschig also called here in July, on the road to Yorkshire ; 
and August 14, Spangenberg, Ingham, and Kinchin waited on 
Dr. Doddridge, who shed tears of joy on hearing of the bless- 
ing resting on the labours of the Brethren among the heathen. 
Mention is made, the same month, of a Mr. Burton, a resident 
in that town, who " had a love for the Brethren." Oxford was 
visited by Boehler and Viney in April (17 — 25); and in 
June (13 — 28) by Piesch and Oxley, who preached every 
day. The latter also went to see Gambold in Stanton Har- 
court, a Mr. Watkins in Freeland, and friends in Whitney. 
Oxley was kindly entertained at High Wycombe by a Mr. 
Badders, and became acquainted w^ith a Mr. HoUis who pro- 
fessed to be favoured with inspirations. Viney and Gussen- 
bauer proceeded to Oxford in July (10 — 31), and on the 
26th of that month, Br. and Sr. Piesch with their 
child went thither to make a more lengthened stay. They 
were well received and their ministrations were greatly 
prized. On October 29 Spangenberg and Viney arrived at 
Oxford just as one of their awakened friends, a Mrs. Port, 
who was full of good works, and in nursing a sick person 
had caught the infection, departed this life. They held a 
meeting with the Society and administered in the evening 
the Lord's Supper to Br. and Sr. Piesch. The following day 
they had a Lovefeast with 30 members of the Society, and in 
the evening they experienced great danger of life on their 



* Peiinps the Eliz. E,ogers who marned James Greening in 1743. See Benham's 
Life of JIutton, p. 95. 



19 



road to Stanton Harcourt, not arriving there till midnight. 
On November 1, tlwy rode to London by way of Oxford and 
High Wycombe. One of the Oxford friends, a Mr. Hughes, 
came Dec. 23 to London, probably to spend Christmas with 
the Brethren. 

Dummer, in Hampshire, seems to have been the residence 
of the Rev. Mr. Kinchin, and at this time still his parish, or 
at all events recently to have been so. In April, Mr. 
Hutchins, who had been a curate of Kinchin, came from this 
place to London to visit the Society. At Kinchin's request Br. 
Schlicht laboured here from May 5 — 22. The Brethren 
Chapman and Rice went of their own accord, but with the 
sanction of the Conference, to Dummer and Basingstoke, 
itinerating from June 26 to July 4. In October Br. Brown 
is mentioned as having visited and having returned on the 
17th to London with Kinchin. In ^^Tovember a lengthened 
visit was paid by Br. Thos. Knight (Noy. 6 — Dec. 23) to 
his sister who resided at Basingstoke. 

Concerning Buttermere in Wiltshire (a little to the south 
of Hungerford) where the Rev. George Stonehouse had 
an estate, viz., Hungerford Park in Berkshire, — it is reported 
that Sister Spangenberg went thither with him and his wife, 
July 26. Under the influence of the Brethren's teaching, 
Mr. S. began to preach the Gospel in all simplicity, but with 
blessing. The family were again visited in August (17 — 22) 
by Br. Schlicht, Rev. Mr. Kinchin, Captain Gladman, and 
Mr. Simpson. At the beginning of Sept. Br. Gussenbauer 
offered himself for service there. His offer w^as accepted, and 
October 26 he was followed by his wife, the Brethren Span- 
genberg and Yiney accompanying her. The two latter called 
the next day on a brother of Mr. Stonehouse at Shalbourn, 
a little to the north-west of Buttermere, where a Society had 
been established, consisting mainly of aged joeople.* Another 
place named Standon, or also Stansden, is mentioned, appa- 
rently in the same neighbourhood, but we have not succeeded 
in fixing the exact locality. In JSTovember, Squire Stone- 
house informed the Brethren he was resolved to serve the 
Lord in union Avith their Church. 



In the diary they are called the "venerable Society of grey-beards and bald- 
heads." 



20 



During tliis year (1741) the connexion was iiiaintained witli 
the awakened souls in Bedford, especially with the families 
of Okely and Rogers. In August (3), special allusion is 
made to the visit thence of Mr. John Okely, who had joined 
the Baptists. He attended many of the meetings in Fetter- 
lane, had much conversation with the Labourers, and at last 
" opened out his heart " to Viney and Hutton. From the 
Eev. Francis Okely a letter was received December 11, 
earnestly begging that a Brother might be sent to labour in 
Bedford, and December 23, Mrs. Okely arrived to attend the 
Brethren's Christmas festivities, being accomj)anied by her 
last-named son. 

In the autumn, Ipswich was visited by Br. A. Ostroem, 
who reported that many pious people there desired the help 
of a Moravian Brother. He returned to London with Br. 
ISTevill, August 3, and expressed himself gratified by the re- 
ception he had met with. 

With Cornwall a connexion was formed through the Eev. 
Mr. Thompson, a Church clergyman wdio travelled purposely 
to London in order to become acquainted with the Brethren. 
He was visited by Spangenberg in 1743. 

Friendly intercourse was maintained with Archbishop 
Potter, the Bishop of London, the Eev. Messrs. Ziegenhagen 
and Bartels (preachers at the Savoy Church), Lady Hunting- 
don, Eev. Mr. Hall, of Salisbury, the Wesleys, and G-. Whit- 
field. Spangenberg sought to interest the two first-named 
dignitaries in the printing of a Spanish JN'ew Testament, to 
be scattered broad-cast in the South American colonies ; and 
in the sending out of Missionaries to the East Indies and 
Africa. Various and repeated attempts were made by per- 
sonal visits to the Wesleys, not so much in order to bring 
about a union, as to induce a friendly and catholic feeling, so 
that both parties might labour harmoniously side by side. 
The following extracts from Spangenberg's oflicial diary with 
regard to these endeavours will be interesting : — " April 8, 
1741. Spangenberg, Boehler, and Yon Marschall called on 
John and Charles Wesley, who are greatly prepossessed 
against our Brethren. They formerly belonged to the Fetter- 
lane Society and promised to observe its regulations. After- 
wards they disputed with several members of the Society, 
touching some things they did not approve of, and when the}^ 



21 



coiilcl not alter matters as they wished, Joliii Wesley sepa- 
rated and took with him all those who were of the same 
opinion with himself. Then the Fetter-lane Society re- 
quested Br. Toeltschig and the other German Brethren to 
become their leaders. Toeltschig replied he must decline this, 
as the leadership belonged to our Saviour, but that he and his 
Brethren would do all they could to promote the welfare of 
their souls and so, through divine grace, be helpers of their 
joy. This the Society approved of and so formally entrusted 
the care of souls to the German Brethren. But this grieved 
John Wesley very much, and, because some members of 
the Society spoke sharply against him, and he imagined 
that tills proceeded from the Brethren, he became greatly 
opposed. 

" In this interview we spoke modestly with him, and among 
the rest pointed out how we might live peaceably beside one 
another, even though ^ve did not constitute one oeconomy of 
grace, nor act exactly after the same method. 

" April 9. — In the meeting for the Labourers, among other 
things, the subject was treated of, how some servants of 
God who are disputing with us, might be best appeased. 
April 12. — Spangenberg spoke with C. Wesley concerning 
the preface to his brother John's J ournal, in which he loudly 
complains about people who teach false doctrines ; for instance, 
that no one could obtain forgiveness of sins till he had got a 
pure heart, etc. C. Wesley assured Spangenberg that his 
brother alluded there only to some English people who had 
misunderstood our brother Molther, and then had repeated 
their misconceptions. April 14. — As regards J. Wesley we 
are resolved to deal heartily and friendly with him, and thus 
avrait the result. If any of his people seek fellowship with 
us, we will speak brotherly, but have nothing further to do 
with them, till the breach has been healed with Wesley him- 
self. April 15. — Allusion was made to the disputes now 
prevalent among the awakened English. We resolved not to 
be mixed up in these matters. It is not every one's gift 
plainly to set forth and to prove the point in disjDute ; hence 
the truth suffers and the disputant himself can easily suffer 
harm. It has hitherto been found very hurtful if comparisons 
are made between servants of God who live in the same place. 
Envy and quarrels are mostly the only result. One may 



22 



seek to profit by the grace and gifts of every servant of 
God, and at the same time look closely to our Saviour. 

"April 27. — Spangenherg visited John Wesley, who spoke 
of union, and asserted this depended on ' principia ' — but oh ! 
if there was only one spirit — if His fire only melted the 
hearts, they would surely flow over, one into the other. 
Wesley opened the Bible at that passage (Ephes. ii., 14) : ' He 
is our peace, Avho hath made both one, and hath broken down 

the middle wall of partition betw^een us 

for to make in himself of twain, one new man.' On Span- 
genberg's return, our Lord showed us that some of our people 
had been too hard on Wesley, had transgressed and sinned 
against him, both at the beginning of the dispute and 
during its further course. Our hearts were convinced that it 
had been so, and we bowed down before the Saviour with 
many tears. 

" May 1. — The Erethren of the Fetter-lane Societ}'- con- 
versed on those things wherein Mr. Wesley had been sinned 
against by some. There was great emotion and many wept. 

" May 2. — The Brn. Bray, Bowes, and Oxley, went to-day to 
John Wesley and with sincere humility begged his pardon. 
As we were shown by our Lord that some of the German 
Brethren also were not free from blame in the dispute with 
John Wesley, a commission was given in the name of all to 
the Brn. Hutton and Yiney, to go to him and right heartily 
to beg his pardon. May 3. — Calling on John Wesle}^ 
they did so with all truthfulness and with the whole heart 
He afterwards spoke of union, and said he would put down 
on paper the matters he objected to. But he has not done so. 
May 10. — Spangenberg visited John Wesley. One of his 
people pretends to have attained such perfection that it ex- 
empts him from all danger. We warned him. May 12. — 
Br. Boehler had a Lovefeast with all those Brethren who, three 
years ago, belonged to the first Band in London. Grace and 
blessing prevailed. John Wesley was also present at it. 
May 1 3 — Spangenberg and Boehler visited J. Wesley. He had 
invited some to come to him, of whom he asserted they were 
* strong.' These people declared they would not listen to the 



" strong," ie., "whole, not needing a physician, Matt, ix., 12, (see Lutheran 
version). 



doctrine of remaining ' poor sinners.' They believed that 
evil was certainly floating round about them — but that it 
neither came forth from them nor entered into them. We 
advised them to take heed to themselves. May 17. — Spangen- 
berg visited Dr. Watts and told him that concerning ' per- 
fection ' vre believed that by the blood of Christ, we were 
wholly washed clean from our sins and were thereby delivered 
from the dominion of sin ; but that it was still needful for 
us * to wash our feet ' and continually to have our garments 
cleansed in the Saviour's blood." 

As regards G. Wh itfield, though the Brethren openly re- 
pudiated his doctrine of reprobation, still he maintained 
friendly intercourse with them, often dining at Hutton's 
table, attending the meetings in Fetter-lane Chapel and even 
speaking at the General Meetings of the Society for the 
Furtherance of the Grospel. Under Decern. 18 it is stated 
in the diary, " Whitfield testified publicly how he felt in his 
heart the grace that prevailed in our midst, and added that he 
wished to unite ^vith us." 

It belongs to the year 1741 to add that the first English 
Hymn i?co7j used by those in connection with the United 
Brethren was put to press October 24, and was ready for use 
jSTovember 24. This is distinctly stated in the chary. It 
consisted almost exclusively of translations from the German, 
and must be regarded as the undertaking of private indi- 
viduals, having, as was also the case with all its successors 
till 1754, no sanction from the Church as such. 

1742. 

To give some idea of the immense activity of Spangenberg 
and his co-adjutors, the following may here be mentioned. The 
inmates of the Pilgrims' House in Little Wyld-street were 
occupied January 20 the whole day, and the night following, 
in writing, and on the 23rd more than one hundred letters 
were despatched to their Brethren and Sisters in Pennsylvania. 
Under June 1 it is remarked that the Labourers were seated 
in Conference from 12 o'clock at noon till 10 o'clock p.m., 
discussing the affairs of the Great King, and " yet, " it is 
added, "we did not get tired of the work nor of one 
another. " 

In the same month it is observed that much time was .con- 
sumed in perusing and dehberating on the letters which 



24 



poured in, begging for confii-mation and reception into the 
Society. One person wrote lie could not but compare the 
Brethren's Church with the pool of Bethesda, and he longed 
for full fellowship with this section of the Lord's people. 

The Pilgrim's House appears not only to have served as an 
hotel for many visiting and enquiring friends, some of whom 
made a lengthened stay, but also to have afforded room for 
some who wished to be nearer the centre of operations. 
Mention is thus made of Br. and Sr. Bell, Br. and Sr. Bennet, 
and Br. and Sr. Hughes. Indeed it is observable how the 
more distant members availed themselves of every opportunity 
to fix their habitations as near as possible to Little Wyld- 
street and Fetter-lane, in order to enjoy all the means of grace. 

The spiritual life pervading the Society in all its branches 
was undeniably great. A new and strange power from on 
high, fell on the preachers. Hutton, it is said, was enabled to 
preach in German, as if he had been a native, and of Toeltschig's 
English addresses, many remarked they had never heard the 
like before. In some of the Society meetings, to which non- 
members were admitted, it sometimes happened that open 
confession was made of sins, and on one such occasion a 
stranger was so affected that he exclaimed with a loud voice : 

0 receive w,e, 0 do receive me among you. " At one of the 
Almoners' Conferences, Wm. Holland was so overpowered that 
he resolved to leave all (he had a flourishing business) and devote 
himself wholly to the Lord's work in the Brethren's Church. 
The rest wept and prayed. Br. IN'eedham, in person, brought 
to the Chapel every Sunday his whole household, including 
seven apprentices, and with the latter filled a whole bench. 
In May, Hutton interested himself much for the Saltzburg 
refugees. At one period, Sr. Hilland prepared a dinner 
every Sunday for perfect paupers and beggars, and then they 
were lovingly directed to Jesus by a Brother. The diary 
adds : "And a blessing was not wanting." 

On J une 4 a Lovefeast was held with four soldiers, who 
were members of the Society, two of whom were going to the 
war in Flanders. One of them named Jesse, often wrote to 
the Brethren, informing them that when off duty, he had 
tv/ice a day held prayer meetings with some of his like-minded 
comrades. Br. Bowes convened his workpeople, addressed 
them on the great subject, which all were then so full of, and 



25 



occasionally gave tliem a Lovefeast. There were Bands, if not 
distinct Societies at Wapping, Hampstead, and Kensington. 
At Hampstead a gardener named Thompson was very active. 
In April he went to visit the congregations in Germany. In 
October a weekly preaching was established at the same 
place. 

At the i^ew Year's I^ight lYatch when Spangenberg, at 
5 a.m. on January 1, desired to close the happy meetings, 
he was constrained by the importunity of the people to go on 
a little longer. Meetings and Lovefeasts were held with the 
Brethren and Sisters whose wives and husbands had not yet 
given their hearts to the Lord. Visits were paid to those 
who had once been awakened, but had become indifferent, or 
gone back to the world. Some Brethren sought out the 
prisoners in the condemned cells, and told them of a merciful 
Saviour. The daily singing meeting in the Pilgrims' House 
was in February held in English, for it was said by the 
Germans : " Surely wo are here on account of the English. " 

In May, before the company selected to reside in Yorkshire, 
left London, it was found that no less than twenty German 
Brethren and Sisters were actively employed in the labour. 
On Easter Sunday morning the inmates of tlie Pilgrims' House 
rose at 3 o'clock a.m., had a Lovefeast together and then ad- 
journed at 5 o'clock to the Chapel, where others joined them. 
Early at 4 o'clock a.m. there was a gathering in the Chapel 
on the morning of Y'hit Sunday, for singing and prayer. 

The " Settling " of the first Mora^uan Congregation in 
England, viz., that of the Congregation destined for Yorkshire, 
took place on May 26, and was a very solemn proceeding. 
The idea connected with this Yorkshire Congregation Avas 
very peculiar. Though they received a complete organization 
according to the model of the Continental Congregations, 
having various offices, yet they were to regard themselves as 
constituting a compact band of warriors to fight against the 
powers of darkness, or as a body of colonists, every one of 
whom must be prepared to rough it in the wilds. Spangen- 
berg, ever ready to smooth the path, went to Smith-house, 
April 17, to arrange and prepare for the advent of so many 
people, and returned with Br. Brown, May 3. Toeltschig 
was summoned thence to aid in the filling of the clifierent 
ofiices and to be joresent- when he himself and the rest should 



26 



"be solemnly set apart for their work. He arrived May 25, 
Toringing Br. Richard Utley, of Holbeck, with him. The 
same day the following appointments were approved of. 
Toeltschig was to be the Elder, and R. Viney the Vice-elder ; 
Sr. Piesch, Eldress, and Sr. Gussenhaaer, Vice-eldress ; Er. 
Ockershausen, Sick-waiter, and Sr. Toeltschig, Sick-waitress 
and Admonitress ; Br. G. A. Von Marschall and Sr. Stone- 
house were the Servants ; Br. Metcalf, Admonisher ; and 
Br. Piesch, the Assistant to Br. Spangenberg. * On May 
26 the text was : — " He shall bring forth the headstone 
thereof with shoutings, crying Grace, grace unto it. " — 
Zech. iv. 7. When the Elders were blessed for their office, 
all were deeply affected, most melted in tears, and the whole 
assembly prostrated in the dust. Each one felt solemnized 
by the majesty of the Lord, and cheered by the grace of the 
Redeemer. Then Br. Knolton fell on his knees and was 
baptized (as adult) into the death of Jesus. He seemed deeply 
humbled and wholly animated by the spirit of his Master. 
" Like a flash of lightning the presence of the Saviour was 
manifested in our midst, and a movement akin to awe spread 
from heart to heart. The Elders stepped up to Br. Knolton 
and gave him their blessing. Br. Ockershausen and Sr. 
Stonehouse were acknowledged and welcomed as fellow- 
labourers. The beloved Elder (Toeltschig) who from the 
moment he was invested with his office, seemed all tears and 
quite overcome with emotion, concluded with an anointed 
prayer. We took Br. Knolton home with us and once more 
with fervent supplication laid him at the feet of Jesus." 

In order not to excite unpleasant attention these " warriors " 
set out for Yorkshire in separate companies and at different 
times, Toeltschig going with his wife and child on June 25. 
In the evening of July 4, Spangenberg bade farewell to all the 
Labourers who were to remain in London. Many tears were 
shed and Br. Bray said : " As you have behaved like parents, 
when with us, you must now too act as parents, who when 
absent from their children, think most about them, and are 
most solicitous for their welfare. " In the evening of July 
6, all those who were destined for Yorkshire, and had not yet 



* Br. Gussenbauer is also elsewhere spoken of as " Overseer for the Brethren 
and Sr. Viney for the Sisters. 



27 



gone, had a Lovefeast together, and then there was a parting 
meeting for the members of the Select Conference. Shortly 
before midnight the whole household were called together, 
and kneeling down were fervently commended by Spangen- 
berg to the Lord in prayer. Just at midnight, Spangenberg 
set out with his travelling companions for Yorkshire, by way 
of Broadoak. This early departure was decided on by 
reason of the intense heat then prevailing. In his diary, 
Spangenberg says : " Thousand thanks, thou good and gra- 
cious God, for all thou hast done for us in London." 

The other prominent members of the Yorkshire Congre- 
gation left London as follows : — July 16, William Delamotte, 
and Br. Hornburg;'" July 18, Br. and Sr. Ockershausen and 
Sr. Meyer (the last-named, an elderly German Sister, who 
went as cook without wages) ; August 3, (or 4), Fred, von 
Marschall and Br. Charles von Hermsdorf, (the latter had be- 
come acquainted in Georgia with B. Ingham and J. Wesley), 
Aug. 10, Br. and Sr. George Adol]3hus von Marschall, Br. 
Prosky and Sr. Hornburg ; Aug. 13, Br. and Sr. Stonehouse ; 
Aug. 18, Br. Charles Metcalfe, followed by Br. Piesch in 
September. 

The work among the Diaspora, or scattered flocks of pious 
people who sought aid from the Brethren, proceeded as 
vigorously this year (1742) as in the preceding. The re- 
newed call in J anuary for a brother to be stationed at Bedford 
could not then be complied with, but four Brethren (the name 
not given) visited there in January, Hutton in March, Horn- 
burg and Heckenwelder in April, and Bowes and Knolton in 
October. The Bedford friends came frequently to London, 
and on one occasion when either Francis or John Okely was 
passing along the street and was being pressed by a recruiting 
sergeant into the King's service, he extricated himself by 
addressing the man in German, who thought he must be a 
foreigner and quietly let him go. In April John Okely was 
disowned by the Baptists, whereby his fellowship with the 
Brethren was more confirmed. 

At Oxford Br. Piesch remained till January 27, when he 
<iame to London with his wife and child, on his way to Penn- 



' They are said to have gone with the luggage, forwarded by water, perhaps 
in a sailing vessel from London to Hull. 



28 



sjdvania. Br. A. Ostroem took his place for some time. In 
April and again in October a Mr. Bully, residing at Oxford, 
is mentioned as having come to visit the Brethren in London. 
Adolphus von Marschall visited Oxford and Stanton Harcourt 
in April. The estimable John Gambold, rector of the last 
named place, preached September 8 in the Fetter-lane Chapel, 
probably for the first time. October 9 he returned with 
Br. Thomas Knight to Oxford, and at the end of that 
month he resigned his living, to devote himself to the work 
of the Lord in conjunction with the Unity of the Brethren. 
Spangenberg and his associates fully appreciated the talents 
and merits of this worthy man, and it is noteworthy that 
their first offer of employment was for him to labour in 
Oxford, where assuredly he would have had a suitable sphere 
of activity. He expressed his entire readiness to go, but the 
project was never carried out, and we are not aware for what 
reasons. The Brn. Hutchins and Gussenbauer sojourned also 
a while at Oxford, on their way, in JSTovember, to Yorkshire. 

Buttermere and Shalbourn kept up constant intercourse 
with the Brethren. Gussenbauer appears to have been 
stationary at the former place till October 27 when he left to 
go to Yorkshire. Yiney had gone in March to inspect the 
field of labour at these places, and found that a work of 
grace had been going on in some hearts. 

Hull was not overlooked, and March 23 the Brethren 
Ockershausen and Heckenwelder were deputed to repair 
thither. May 30 Br. Ostroem was commissioned to preach 
the Gospel there, but does not appear to have left London 
tiU July 3. 

Dummer and Basingstoke were visited in February by 
Holland, in April by Hutchins, in May by Ockershausen, and 
in August by Gussenbauer. From the latter place, two 
young persons who had been awakened, went purposely to 
London to see for themselves the grace that was there pre- 
vailing. 

In Hillingdon (south of Uxbridge, in Middlesex) a Mrs. 
Turner several times entreated the aid of the Brethren, and 
Br. Bray and his sister went thither in October, if not 
previously. 

The Brn. Lieberkuehn, Forstman, and Schlicht preachicd 
several times in the Savoy Church, the pastorate of which 



29 



was offered to two of them "but declined. The ministrations 
of the first were greatly blessed. In one public service, tlie 
man holding with one hand the plate for offerings, was com- 
pelled with the other to apply the handkerchief to his 
streaming eyes. From the Eev. Thompson, in Cornwall, 
there came three times an appeal on account of " the 30,000 
wretched, depraved miners." 

One of the Religious Societies, meeting in Coleman-street, 
became affected by the prevalent spirit, and salvation by grace 
through faith became now the topic of their conversation. 
One of their members, Mr. Hurlock, declared to the rest that 
he was quite of the Brethren's way of thinking. 

Mr. How, of JSTottingham, visited the Brethren in October,, 
and petitioned for a resident Labourer. The well-known 
John Cennick is mentioned June 5 as seeking, apparently, 
for the first time, fellowship with the Fetter-lane Society. 
In the diary it is remarked concerning him : — " He is a wit- 
ness in connexion with Whitfield, and a loveable man." 

Deeply impressive were the services connected with the 
organizing of the sO'Called ""Sea Congregation " * which took 
place February 26 in Fetter-lane Chapel, the whole Society 
being gathered together. The following account of this 
transaction and of the circumstances connected therewith, is 
taken from the diary of John P. Meurer.— "We arrived in 
London, February 24, and were most kindly received by 
our Brethren and Sisters. We lodged in Little Wyld-street, 
and on the 25th several of the Brethren and Sisters came to 
see us. The married Men were in one house, all the married 
Sisters in another, and the unmarried Brethren by themselves 
in a third. On the 26th we went to the Chapel where we 
met Br. Spangenberg, Br. Betzold, and the other Labourers of 
our Church, as also the English Conference. We were con- 
stituted a " Sea Congregation" of Jesus, and the various 
Church offices were arranged among us. One of the daily 
texts was : — " If I perish, I perish. " — Esther iv., 16, and 
the antiphon, " I shall not die, but live." This was applied 
to us and our peculiar circumstances. We were told Avhat 
that mind was which our Saviour wished us to have, viz., to 



* These people were Brethren and Sisters going out as colonists to Pennsyl- 
vania, and mostly Germans. 



30 



live in tMs world to Him, not to love our ovv'-n lives to the 
death, (Rev. xii. ,11), but to be willing to surrender life and 
all for His sake, who had called us. About 300 persons 
were present. This meeting was followed by a cheerful Love- 
feast. On March 5 the single Brethren had a Lovefeast by 
themselves on ship-board, and on the 7th another in a room 
over a stable. On the 6th eight of us Brethren ascended St. 
Paul's and were able to see the greater part of the city. We 
joined in singing some verses, expressive of our good wishes 
for this place, with the prayer that our Lord might always 
preserve to Himself a seed here, that should remain true and 
faithful. We single Brethren then went on board to stay 
there. Our vessel had formerly been called the " Catherine 
Snow," but now we named her the " Irene, " or " Peace." 
On March 11 we had a Lovefeast, and our Br. P. Boehler, 
who is our Teacher, held the first meeting on Board. 
On the 12th we attended the " General Meeting " of the 
Society in the Chapel. The married portion of our company 
embarked on the 15th, and very many of the English Brethren 
and Sisters came in boats to visit us. We left London on 
the 16th, but only proceeded to Greenwich. One of our 
Brethren was pressed for a sailor, and taken to a man of war, 
but our Saviour released him in a wonderful manner. On 
the 1 7th we fell down the river to Gravesend, cast anchor and 
remained there on the 18th too. Many came from London 
to bid farewell. A collision occurred close beside us, be- 
tween two ships, and one was sunk, so that in the morning 
we could see nothing but the masts. Br. Spangenberg on 
the 19th called us on deck, and expounded the Scripture 
text for the day. He said our Saviour had numbered all our 
days, and times, and steps, and we should experience this 
truth also on this voyage. I^^othing whatever could happen 
without the Lord's will. Storms and winds and waves we 
should have in common with others — and besides these we 
should have the resistance of Satan and his host; for the 
great enemy would be sure to try to hinder us whenever he 
could. We were not to fear but to abide in Jesus and he 
would help us through every trial, however dangerous. Then 
Br. Spangenberg gave us his blessing, and the kiss of peace 
was imparted to him by the Brethren, and by his wife to the 
Sisters. We all fell down on our knees and Br. Spangenberg 



31 



commended us to the Lord's protecting care and blessing. 
Farewell was said with many tears ; our visitors returned to 
London, and we sailed into the Channel. On the 20th we 
were in great danger of losing our lives, hut our Saviour 
graciously preserved us. Several vessels had been sunk round 
about us, and their masts alone were visible. On the 21st 
we got to Deal, where we lay at anchor till the 22nd, but 
sailed in the evening, and on the 23rd lost sight of England." 

It appears that while the Irene was tying in the Thames, 
waiting for the needful papers and all the passengers were 
eager to set out, some difficulties arose on the part of the 
authorities. On ]\ larch 9 it is said in the diary : — Satan 
was against us at the Custom-house. They refused to give 
us a passport, without which our Brethren could not go to 
any English Colony. AVe kept close to Jesus in childlike 
confidence, and united together in prayer. " On the 15tli in 
spite of all difficulties, the Brethren and Sisters went on 
board, for the text was : — " They overcame by the blood of 
the Lamb," (Eev. xii., 11), and the antiphon : — "Then let 
winds blow or thunders roar, I need not fear by sea or 
land, Eor thou, my God, w^ilt by me stand " (jSTo. 875, 5). 
One brother was not permitted to go with this company, 
"byway of chastisement," but having, no doubt, repented 
of his fault, whatever it was, he afterwards proceeded to his 
destination. 

Of the Society for the Furtlierance of tlie Gosj)el it may 
be observed that when Spangenberg wrote in October from 
Yorkshire for the loan of £100, on account of the under- 
takings in Pennsylvania, the Committee met and resolved 
they would not lend, but give. Accordingly at an extra- 
ordinary meeting of the Society, the sum of £140 was at 
once cheerfully subscribed. When the pamphlet entitled 
"The Traveller's Present" was printed, the Society took 500 
copies, in order that they might be gratuitously distributed 
by the Brethren travelling to and fro in this country. 

Friendly intercourse was also this year maintained with 
Whitfield. In a letter written by him in February he ex- 
pressed a wish to enter into a full union with the Brethren, 



Seems to have been a translatiou of the " Strassen— Etlchlein. " — See Ben- 
ham's Lije of Button, p. 76. 



32 



and sliortly afterwards he begged that some of their numhcr 
might be sent to act with him as his fellow-labourers. On 
March 8, at his (W.'s) own request, Spangenberg had a Con- 
ference with him. Whitfield laid great stress on both parties 
having the same "principles," while Spangenberg insisted 
on the necessity of both being animated by one and the 
same spirit. It was proposed to draw near to the throne of 
grace, and Spangenberg prayed, whilst the rest of the assem- 
bly mostly wept, and thus the Conference was closed. But 
it was renewed the next day, and " the Lord gave grace, so 
that everything went according to our wishes." On March 21 
a Conference was convened for the Brethren to meet Whit- 
field and his principal preachers. Of the latter it is said : — 
" They are all on our side, but they are afraid of their own 
people, who are thorough Calvinists, and therefore they oppose 
us." On the succeeding day Whitfield called on the Brethren 
and "we had a hearty Band together, the conversation being 
much blessed to him." In March and April he attended some 
of the General Meetings. At one of them he addressed the 
assembly, at another he was affected to tears. On June 5 
he handed over to the Brethren's care the little negro boy 
Andrew, whom he had brought from America, and on June 28 
this boy was taken with a son of Br. Leighton to Holland by 
the Brn. Bowes and Thiel. 

Archbishop Potter Avas waited on, June 29, by Spangen- 
berg, Lieberkiihn, and Schlicht. He was very kind, asked if 
the Brethren had been at all molested in the exercise of their 
religious liberty, and when answered in the negative, ex- 
pressed his sincere desire that it might continue so. When, 
on ISTovember 6, Toeltschig and Hutton informed him of 
what the Count and the Brethren were doing in America, he 
assured them of his sincere joy, and was astonished at the 
wonders of divine grace displayed there. 

The references in the diary to J ohn Wesley are only few. 
Under February 5 it is said : — Holland and Horne spoke 
in the name of the Tetter-lane Society with J. Wesley, con- 
cerning those of his Society, who wished to join our Bands. 
April 4 : Mention was made to-day in the meeting of Con- 
ference how Mr. J. Wesley was sinning against the Brethren 
by his slanders and falsehoods. Our hearts were so moved 
by compassion that from a common impulse and with general 



33 



consent we fell down on our knees and prayed earnestly for 
him, December 6 Gambold visited C. Wesley and was kindly 
received. December 26, C. Wesley called on Br. Hutton. 

The Sclwols for Boys and Girls in Little Wyld-street were 
greatly blessed this year, and a good spirit prevailed among 
the children. The Eoys' School was removed, January 16, 
to Yiney's house opposite to that occupied by the Pilgrims. 
January 26 Sr. Esther Kinchin was solemnly inducted into 
her ofhce as a teacher of the girls, and on the 13th of the 
same month the first Children's Prayer-day Avas held for both 
Schools. An awakening began, March 23, among the girls 
which Spangenberg tried to promote by frequent visits. On 
the 31st Anna Sones, aged ten or eleven years, entered into a 
covenant with four of her companions to give their hearts to 
Jesus. Sr. Kinchin declared that she had never seen or 
heard the like before. The same blessed influence extended 
to the boys, and May 15 all the senior boys spoke with many 
tears about the love of their Eedeemer, and this continued 
the whole evening till bed-time. May 21, it was found 
needful to employ an additional teacher in the person of 
single Br. Gottlob HaujDtman. All possible care was taken 
to make the children haj^py, but also to ensure good 
order and discipUne. In a School Conference, on May 27, 
lasting seven hours, a new plan Avas devised. Viney was 
appointed "Warden" of the Schools and " Children's Father ; " 
Sr. Kinchin was to be " Children's ]\f other," or a kind of 
]\Iatron, and Br. Payne was to be " Steward. " The same 
day the purpose was announced shortly to remove the Schools 
to Hatfield Broadoak, or Platfield Eegis, a parish in the 
hundred of Harlow, union of Dunmow, in the county of 
Essex, and about forty miles from London. The mansion 
there had been occupied by Wyseman Claggett, Esq., who 
departed this life happily, through the blessing w^hich 
the Lord has laid on the teachings of the Brethren. His 
widow and some of her daughters had joined the Society 
in London. The mansion was taken on a lease for eleven 
years, but terminable at the first, third, or seventh year. The 
transition of the boys took place on June 19, and that of 
the girls on the 20th. They went in a large waggon or 
" caravan," and by their good conduct and cheerful mien 
attracted the notice of the people at every place where the}'- 



stopped on the road. " They were as happy as lamhs and were 
a wonder to the folks." The youngest and one or two sick 
children were sent in a chaise. The Clergyman of the parish 
showed a friendly spirit, and in September kindly placed his 
carriage and horses at the disposal of Br. Payne, in order that 
Br. Piesch and his companions might overtake the Yorkshire 
coach. Br. and Sr. Oxley continued their services in the Schools, 
and after the change had been effected, the Brn. Knolton, 
Heckenwelder, and J. Gambold became additional instructors. 
Spangenberg stayed a short time at Broadoak, on his way to 
Yorkshire, in the summer. He established a Select Conference 
consisting of Br. and Sr. Yiney and Br. Heckenwelder ; a 
Helpers' Conference, including the above three, and besides, 
" all the Brethren and Sisters who could do good by attend- 
ing, and all who might do harm by being excluded from it 
also a Conference comprising all the married people, and lastly 
a School Conference for all who were engaged in the labour 
among the children. Br. Knolton received the office of 
" Strangers' Attendant," and a fund was established for the 
entertainment of visitors. Spangenberg assigned to all the 
members of the adult household their respective duties, and 
conversed first privately with each one, and then publicly in 
an assembly of all repeated these incumbencies, striving to 
define them as clearly as possible. He left Broadoak July 10, 
taking with him Br. and Sr. Hauptman, and the Brn. von 
Larisch and Reincke. 

The second of the English Moravian Hymn Boohs left 
the press August 4. It had some English hymens in 
addition to the contents of the first edition. The Stras- 
seiihuclilein was translated by Gambold and Yon Marschall, 
and put October 25 to the press. The Lehrhuclilein appeared 
in its English dress as "Manual of Doctrine " October 15, 
and this year also the Daily Texts were translated into English 
for the first time. 

Though Archbishop Potter had distinctly given it as his 
opinion that the Brethren required no licence for their Chapel 
as they were not " Dissenters " ; and though many of the 
English members of the Society stoutly maintained they could 
not regard themselves as Dissenters, still, to prevent un- 
pleasant interruptions, Hutton and Bowes, on the recom- 
mendation of warm friends, and urged even by Spangenberg, 



35 



took out a licence on Se^otember 18, the petition being signed 
by Geo. Eowes, John Edmonds, William Horne, George 
Chapman, and Thos. Knight. 

The recognition of a part of the Tetter-lane Society as a 
distinct congrer/ation in union ivitli tlie Bretliren's Church 
took place on jSTovember 10, n. s., (or October 31, o. s.) In 
the preceding weeks anxious conversations were held with 
all the candiciates, either in small companies (bands) or sepa- 
rately. Those who were to be received, confirmed, or to be 
invested with office, appeared in the Conference. With re- 
ference to these interviews it is observed : "We see wonders 
of grace in these peojDle, and can only thankfully adore." It 
was resolved that any one brought up in the National Church 
need not by joining the Brethren thereby sever his connexion 
with the Establishment, if he still found a blessing there or 
could prove a blessing to it. 

ISTovember 8, Br. Yiney and Sr. Kinchin arrived from 
Broadoak. The diary of Spangenberg then goes on as follows : 
• — " November 9 we had a Special Prayer-day. The Brn. 
Bell and James Greening were confirmed, and the following 
were received into the Church : — the Brn. Brockmer, Stan- 
ton, Lateward, Clark, Gambold, JSTash, and Watson ; the 
Srs. Brown, Knolton, Dinah Eaymond, Bowes, Martha and 
Susannah Claggett, Ewsters, and Jane Chambers. Ten other 
Brethren and Sisters had applied for reception but their time 
had not yet come. The grace of our God came down gently, 
calmly, soothingly upon us. There was nobody present 
except those who had already been numbered with us as 
actual members of the Congregation, before Spangenberg 
went to Yorkshire, and those who were now received and 
confirmed by Spangenberg, Toeltschig, and Yiney." 

November 10, being Saturday and the ordinary Prayer- 
day, the whole morning was spent by the Elders in Conference. 
In the afternoon all the Brethren and Sisters assembled. 
Spangenberg spoke with energy on the daily Word : " They 
shall no more be a prey to the heathen, nor shall the beasts of 
the land devour them ; but they shall dwell safely and none 
shall make them afraid. " — Ezech. xxxiv., 28. Br. Toeltschig 
then blessed Br. Holland for his office as Elder of the Con- 
gregation with deep emotion of heart and apostolic power. 
Spangenberg thereupon blessed Br. Hutton for his important 



36 



office as Warden ; tlie Ern. Bell and Griffitli were set apart 
with imposition of hands for their duties as Elders of 
the single Men's Choir, and the Ern. Erown and Knight as 
Wardens of the same. JSTotice Avas given of the offices to 
be conferred on some of the Sisters, but that they would have 
to go to Yorkshire to be there inducted and blessed. Sr. 
Claggett was to be Eldress of the Congregation, and Sr. 
Kinchin the Yice-eldress. Sr. Hutton was to be Warden 
for the females of the Congregation, whilst the Srs. Holland 
and EovN^es were appointed Choir-elders, and the Srs. West 
and Ewsters the Wardens of their respective Choirs. 

After these announcements Er. Knolton's child was bap- 
tized and named Christian David. Er. Viney closed with an 
impressive prayer. Awe and reverence pervaded every breast, 
and Spangenberg adds, " It is impossible to describe in words 
how blessedly we experienced the gracious jiresence of our 
Saviour." It is not clear whether this transaction took place 
in Fetter-lane or Little Wyld-street. The next day (Sunday, 
l^ovember 11) the newly constituted Congregation had a 
Lovefeast. 

The List of Members at the Settling of the Congregation- 
as it has been, "usually received, and as it was read in the 
Lovefeast on ]N^ovember 10, 1867, is here omitted, as it is 
not sufficiently verified. 

In concluding this brief sketch of the early connection of 
-the Unitas Fratrum Avith these lands, and more especially 
with London, the writer cannot refrain from adding a few 
remarks. He thinks it must be evident to every attentive 
and unbiassed reader of these pages, that the Renewed 
Church of the Erethren appeared in this country as a light 
shining in a dark place—that the men of whom this nar- 
rative treats, were animated by the noblest spirit that has 
ever influenced man, viz., that of devoted fidelity to the 
Saviour, and that of burning love for perishing souls. It 
is equally clear that their labours were not in vain. England 
as well as the Continent of Europe and JST. America, ought 
to feel deeply indebted to them. Indeed this debt is in- 
creasingly acknowledged by all who are intimately conversant 
with that portion of ecclesiastical history. Let none who 
have been born in the bosom of the Brethren's Church think 



37 



liglitly of the heritage that has descended to them, or under- 
value the labours of their spiritual ancestors. 

Forms and customs are relatively, nothing ; but the spirit 
which pervades and characterizes an ecclesiastical brother- 
hood, is everything. If we, in any wise, have not our 
fathers' mind and have fallen from our first estate — if we are 
not doing our fathers' works, let us cry unceasingly to God, 
till it please Him. to make us like unto them. May tlie 
conviction of the universal priesthood of believers flow in 
upon us as a mighty river, and may every reader of these 
pages ask himself, does not the word of the Lord : "Ye are 
my witnesses," apply, in some sort, also unto me 1 The 
writer thinks that even this fragment of the history of the 
Brethren's Church in England, ought to teach many and 
important lessons. May they be learned ! 



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